Ciaran O’Hare has gained his third Senior International Master norm and should be receiving his Senior Master title soon. He earned the title by his result in the Rochade 20 Year Tournament where he scored 9-5, thus bringing the seventh Senior International Master title to Ireland and the first to Oklahoma.

GAME OF THE MONTH

Ciaran O’Hare annotates the critical draw that gave him the required points for his Senior Master norm.

Now is the time to send me your short shorts – 20 moves or less – for possible inclusion in the December miniature column.

It’s all in good fun – Now is your chance to show that spectacular loss !

OCTOBER RESULTS

Trophy Quads

Brian Wood 09Q08 6-0

Jerome Lewis 10Q02 5-1

Swift Quad

Jeff Levine 11SQ18 5-1

Walter Muir

Michael Burrus 10W38 5-1

Brian Higgins 11W19 4 ½-1 ½

Ian Schnee 11W24 5 ½-½

John Collins

Thomas Buchanan 10C28 6-0

Richard McLaughlin 10C18 5 ½-½

Quote: The most important factor in a correspondence game is a sound plan. Then hard work, an uncompromising will to win, ending knowledge and a little luck will bring success. -- Palciauskas

WALTER LEWIS IN A CLOSE ONE !

Walter Lewis of Soledad, CA, won the 2009 John Collins 09C20 in a close fought battle with three other Experts.

Lewis20580½11114½

Flowers21461½½½½½3½

Risk208200½½½12½

Fairbairn209300½½½01½

Lewis’ 22. Ne5 allows Black to gain the advantage and inflict his only defeat.

TORRE ATTACK (A48)

RETI STAMP FROM NIGER

LEARN CHESS BY MAIL ! Lessons given by mail, telephone, ICC – many different ways. I specialize in players rated 800-2100 who would like to improve their game. Contact me for information. AlexDunne, 324 West Lockhart St., Sayre, PA 18840 [email protected]

One more Absolute player (for a total of two!) has offered his opinion on computer play in the Absolute. “Since the USCC Championship does count for international ratings, I think computers should be allowed there. Since the Absolute only counts for domestic ratings, computers should not be allowed.

“But I’m afraid that rule cannot be enforced. In relation to what you mentioned, you could have as extra rule that participants in the Absolute have an OTB rating above, say 1800.”

The 2012 Absolute is coming up. I would still like to hear from Absolute players on the problem of computers in the Absolute.

After some original opening play, the game plan becomes who can win the most Pawns. White wins.

KING PAWN OPENING (C40)

Black sacrifices a Pawn on Move 8 for 30 moves of pressure

RUY LOPEZ (C79)

White constructs an unusual Rook trap and Black is powerless against Kd6-c7xb6.

CARO-KANN DEFENSE (B )

Black’s game is difficult when he errs on Move 28 and White immediately gangs up on his queenside.

SICILIAN DEFENSE (B56)

How to attack the kingside: First get all your opponent's pieces over to the queenside....